*in honor of small business saturday (nov. 24), i'm featuring four shops in my town of northampton, massachusetts, in a series of posts called "open." the owners filled out a short q+a and i visited each store to take a few photos. i'm hoping that not only will this drum up holiday business for the small businesses in the town i love so much, but that other bloggers will be inspired to do the same in their towns! feel free to link back to this post, and post a link to your "open" features in the comments! these posts are not sponsored. read "open" posts 2, 3 + 4.
welcome to the beehive sewing studio + workspace!
this space is every crafter's dream come true -- especially those of us who don't have enough room for a sewing machine, or who need constant guidance while humming away at a sewing project (ahem... i may or may not have burst into tears while working on every piece i've ever sewed, and can't wait to book some time here to work on a christmas present or two!). beehive offers eight workspaces -- complete with machines, professional tools, + advice when needed -- that you can rent by the hour! special workshops + classes fill beehive's calendar, and there's no shortage of inspiration lining the bookshelves of a comfortable reading nook at the back of the store.
q+a with beehive owner tess poe
when did your business open? august 1, 2012.
what does your business do? beehive sewing studio + workspace is the valley's first drop-in sewing studio and workspace. pay by the hour and stay as long as you need. the studio features eight sewing workstations, including six domestic machines by janome and two babylock sergers. the space is outfitted with professional cutting tools, irons, machine accessories, and other amenities. not a master sewist yet? guests can take one of our classes or workshops, taught by accomplished local seamstresses, fiber artists, and fabric artisans. beehive sewing was established to provide flexible access to workspace for people enaged in all kinds of sewing activities -- from apparel and garment construction to quilting to home decor projects and small gifts or accessories. the studio also functions as a community space, hosting parties and showers that feature a sewing activity, as well as lectures and community events.
what does being a small business owner mean to you? being a small business owner means connecting with the existing business community to strengthen the regional economy, create jobs, and most importantly, meet customers' needs. as a small business owner, i want to use the space as a laboratory for exploring different business models and ideas, while leveraging all the skills and experience i've gained in my 15+ year career. i also hope to get more of my own sewing done!
what is it like to own a small business in northampton? it's fun! it's a great combination of small town and big city. some days i work with folks who have the kind of professional experience that you'd find in a major urban center; other days i appreciate being able to walk two blocks to the local radio station and record my advertisements. there are a lot of resources here in northampton, and a community that supports local entrepreneurship. it's not dog-eat-dog; there's genuine interest in seeing businesses thrive.
beehive sewing studio + workspace is located at 271 pleasant st. beehive is open sunday 11 am - 6 pm; tuesday by appointment; wednesday 11 am - 6 pm; and thursday, friday + saturday 11 am - 8 pm. call 413-345-8201.
